Sparking indicator.



C. E. HABLAN.

SPARKING INDICATOR.

APPLICATION man Dic. 9. 1914.

" Patented' Dec. 1915.

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CLAUD E. HABLAN, OF WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM H. AMES, OF WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

sPAnKING INDICATOR.

v Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.. 28, 1915.

Application filed December 9, 1914. Serial N o. 876,299.

and useful Improvements in Sparking Indiof which the following 1s a speclficav cators, tion.

l This invention relates to a sparking indi-v cator.

It is one of the objects ofthe present invention to provide a. simple portable testing instrument for llocating trouble in the ignition system of internal combustion engines, for instance, to determine whether the trouble is caused by a fouled plug, a short circuit in the wiring connections, punctured insulation, magneto trouble,- etc.

Further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed, having reference to theaccompany- .ing drawing, in which the figure is a diagrammatic view illustrating the testing instrument and its connections.

The instrument comprising a stationary holder A, preferably constructed of insulating material, on which is suitably secured a convenient number of sparking points 3. Secured in the outer ends of the holder is a pair of'guide rods 4f, and slidably mounted on said rods is a movable holder 5, upon which are secured sparking pomts 6; the number of same conforming to the number carried by the lower holder.` The movable holder is also preferably constructed of insulating material, and the position of same, with relation to the main holder, may be adjusted by the screw 7, as shown.

In operation, referring to the drawing which represents a' four cylinder unit, the test is made as follows: The secondary wires 8, 9, 10A and 11 of the magneto are first disconnected from their` respective engine plugs 12, 13, 14 and nected with terminals 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the upper sparking points. rlerminals 20, 21, 22 and 23 of the lower sparking points are then connected by wires 24, 25, 26 andl 27 with the engine plugs 12, 13, 14 and 15 which are grounded inthe usual manner.

15l and are then con' 'The engine can now be started and is pref? erably made to run at a comparatively slow speed while the test is being conducted.

The electric current generated bythe mag- `neto in order to complete its circuit through the engine plugs will have to jump the gap formed between thesparking points 6 and jump between the vseveral sparking points after a. half inch gap has been secured, it will immediately indicate that the magneto and connected wiring, are in goodv condition or proper working order and that engine troubles, if any, will haveto be looked for in some other place.

If the spark becomes*extinguished between any one set of terminals 3 and G when a one-halfinch gap has been secured or previous thereto, it will immediately indicate that something is wrong in this circuit. For instance, leakage may occur in the wiring or connections. or the contact points in the distributer of the magneto-may beset too far apart or may be partly corroded, or a short circuit in the connections maybe found. The testing instrument will in all cases indi- Vcate-the defective circuit, making .it comparatively easy to locate the actual defect. It can, therefore, be seen that if any connection between the engine plugs and mag.- Y

neto are leaking or are otherwise defective as the distance between the sparking points increases the resistance to the passageof current will become so great that the spark in the defetive'circuit will immediately be extinguished, as the current in the defectlve circuit will not be strong enoughto jump the gap between the sparking points.

The construction of the testing instrument here shown permits the ignition system of 60 3. The current flow can thus be observed at lthis point. The distance between the spark-l invention as the current output of some generators or magnetos varies greatly with change in speed.

While the specification describes the current jumping a one-half inch gap under favorable conditions, I Wish it understood thatvthis distance is not lixed, as one make of magneto may jump a larger gap under irpa The materials and finish of the several parts ofthe testing instrument are such as the'experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate. l

Twish it understood that various changes in forni, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to Within the scope of the appended claims and that I do not.wish to limit myself' to the specific design and construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, what ll claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. A sparking indicator comprising, in combination, a stationary holder, a movable holder adjustably mounted on same, a plurality of sparking points secured on the stationary holder and insulated from same. a plurality' of sparking points secured on the movable -holder and insulated fromsame, means for connecting the sparking points on the movable holder with the secondary wires of a magneto, and means for connecting the sparking points on the stationary holder AWith the spark plugs on an internal com' bustion engine. l

2. A sparking indicator comprising, in combination, a stationary holder, a panof guide rods mounted on said holder, a bar slidably mounted on said guide rods, a screw connecting said bar with the stationary holder, `said screw adapted to adjust the p0- sition of the bar with relation to the holder, a plurality of sparking points secured on the holder and insulated from same, and a plurality of sparking points secured on the bar and insulated from same.

3. A sparking indicatorcomprising, in combination, a stationary holder, a pair of guide rods mounted on said holder, a bar slidably mounted on' said guide rods, a screw connecting said bar with the stationary CLAUD E. HARLAN.

Witnesses: l

ELLEN WHITE, D. F. MAKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ot Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

